The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Superstar Elton John commemorated the 50th anniversary of his successful songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin with an ultimate greatest hits compilation entitled 'Diamonds,' and took Stephen through his entire catalogue (Original Air Date: November 13th, 2017). Six-time GRAMMY award-winner Brandi Carlile tells Stephen about the trials she faced navigating her faith journey as a young queer woman. Find that story and more in her new memoir, 'Broken Horses' (Original Air Date: April 6th, 2021). Next up, they've been telling the story of their lives separately for 20 years, but rarely agreed on the details, so musicians Tegan & Sara Quin decided to work together on their memoir 'High School' (Original Air Date: September 27th, 2019).

Our friend Wanda Sykes returned to The Late Show last summer to chat with Stephen about her Netflix show, “The Upshaws,” and her honest reaction to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade (Original Air Date: June 27th, 2022). Next, comedian Tig Notaro announced on her first appearance on The Late Show that she had no fear of awkward moments ahead of her Carnegie Hall debut (Original Air Date: November 3rd, 2016). And Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby's 2018 Netflix special 'Nanette' was nominated for an Emmy in the same category as Beyoncé, but unlike the pop superstar's projects, Gadsby's special inspired a line of handmade pet rocks (Original Air Date: August 5th, 2019).

Meanwhile… Belgium is having trouble getting rid of all the cocaine authorities have seized, and Twitter CEO Elon Musk's net worth dropped by at least $100 billion (Original Air Date: November 23rd, 2022). Billy Eichner stops by to tell Stephen how he pulled off making the first big-budget major studio gay romantic comedy, 'Bros,' and how he broke the internet when he released the first new episode of “Billy on the Street” in three years (Original Air Date: September 20th, 2022).

The 'Queer Eye' star hairstylist and author of the book 'Over The Top' wants to encourage people to be themselves, or like Jonathan's mother always said, 'bloom where you're planted' in this extended interview (Original Air Date: October 8th, 2019). And 'Queer Eye' fashion expert Tan France got his start in the fashion industry making knock-off Disney denim jackets at his grandfather's factory (Original Air Date: January 6th, 2020).

'Orange Is The New Black' star Laverne Cox somehow kept her composure and did not cry when she met Beyoncé for the first time at the GRAMMY Awards (Original Air Date: February 13th, 2017); and 'The Big Bang Theory' star Jim Parsons rejects the idea that the latest crop of LGBTQ characters in lead roles arrived too late to make a difference (Original Air Date: May 7th, 2018).

Fashion icon, Emmy, Tony, & Grammy winning performer Billy Porter talks zebra print shoes and his memoir, "Unprotected" (Original Air Date: November 4th, 2021).

Stephen gets deep and asks the big questions with even bigger stars, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston. All three actors star in the new Wes Anderson film, "Asteroid City," in theaters now.Original air dates in order of appearance: 9/30/2015, 9/9/2015, and 11/5/2015.

Meanwhile... Stephen explores some health-related stories including good news for coffee drinkers and the rise of personality disorders related to the pandemic (Original Air Date: September 29th, 2022). Actor and comedian Ayo Edebiri describes the wild ride she’s been on since her FX show, “The Bear,” became a massive hit (Original Air Date: January 4th, 2023).

Stephen Colbert celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community with a roundup of the most colorful stories from last year’s Pride Month (Original Air Date: June 30th, 2022). 'Calypso' author David Sedaris' eight-part message to graduates at his Oberlin commencement address was that they're perfectly well-equipped for poverty and rejection (Original Air Date: May 24th, 2018). And Joel Kim Booster, the writer and star of the new film, "Fire Island," made his first visit to The Late Show and explained what makes a small patch of land off New York's Long Island such a special place for LGBTQ people (Original Air Date: June 6th, 2022).

"Between The World And Me" author Ta-Nehisi Coates says readers sometimes resist accepting the implications of facts presented in non-fiction writing, whereas the storytelling employed in works of fiction can be effective in communicating real facts (Original Air Date: September 24th, 2019). Next, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter and creator of The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, explains what the project is all about and gives Stephen her take on why 14 states have banned or attempted to ban teaching it in schools. Her new book, “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” is available now (Original Air Date: October 26th, 2022).

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker returns to The Late Show for a three-part chat that begins with a discussion about how best to celebrate America’s newest national holiday, Juneteenth. Original Air Date: June 20th, 2022.

The best selling author of "How To Be An Antiracist" and "Antiracist Baby," Dr. Ibram X. Kendi joined Stephen Colbert via Zoom in June 2020 to discuss what it takes to call one's self antiracist, and how he believes it's in everyone's interest to end the racist policies that cause inequality in this country (Original Air Date: June 25th, 2020). Two years after their first interview, Ibram X. Kendi had found that hearing his name come out of Sen. Ted Cruz's mouth during the confirmation hearing for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson did not deter him from pursuing his mission to encourage all Americans, especially children, to learn how to be antiracist. Check out Kendi’s two latest books, “Goodnight Racism” and “How to Raise an Antiracist,” available everywhere now (Original Air Date: June 30th, 2022).

Happy Father's Day from The Late Show Pod Show! First up, Evie Colbert and Stephen trade First Drafts of Father's Day cards from their home studio during the Covid lockdown (Original Air Date: June 18th, 2020). Fast forward to The Late Show's return to the Ed Sullivan Theater a year later, where Stephen and Evie reminisced about what it was like to run the giant production from their spare guest room (Original Air Date: June 16th, 2021).

Ahead of Father's Day, Anderson Cooper reflected on how the holiday has brought him closer to his son and his father, who passed away when Anderson was 10 years old. For more conversations on grief between Stephen and Anderson, check out Colbert's interview on Anderson Cooper's new podcast "All There Is," available wherever you get your podcasts. Original Air Date: June 16th, 2021.

Dan Levy stops by to talk about living under the shadow of his father's eyebrows, and how he loves to embarrass his dad Eugene on the set of 'Schitt's Creek' (Original Air Date: January 30th, 2017). Next up, Eugene Levy is probably right when he says you can find a Schitt or two in every town in the world (Original Air Date: January 23rd, 2018).

A compilation of funny dads to celebrate Father's Day: Jim Gaffigan swaps hilarious fatherhood perspectives and travel stories with Stephen in this Pod Show exclusive extended interview (Original Air Date: February 15th, 2023). Next, "Being a Dad Is Weird" author Ben Falcone experiences some cognitive dissonance when kissing his wife, Melissa McCarthy, while she inhabits the Press Secretary (Original Air Date: May 16th, 2017); and comedian Tom Papa isn't in favor of Father's Day gifts unless, of course, it's his book 'Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas' (Original Air Date: June 12th, 2018).

Stephen asks Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg how being a new parent to twins has changed how he approaches his job. Original Air Date: October 24th, 2022.

'Inside the NBA' host and 'Unscripted' author Ernie Johnson Jr. gets to work with the biggest kids in the business (Original Air Date: April 4th, 2017). And NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson joined Stephen via Zoom during quarantine to share a story about the time he played basketball with President Barack Obama (Original Air Date: March 17th, 2021).

A special tribute to "the greatest composer and lyricist in the history of American theater:" Stephen's extended interview from September 2021 with the legendary Stephen Sondheim. Tribute Original Air Date: December 3rd, 2021.

Patti LuPone returned to The Late Show for a fascinating conversation that centered around her friend and mentor, the late Stephen Sondheim, who she lovingly describes as a “taskmaster” in rehearsals (Original Air Date: May 23rd, 2022). And Broadway star Nathan Lane shares some horror stories of the most critical reviews ever given on Broadway (Original Air Date: April 1st, 2019).

No one was more excited for Tony Nominee Jodie Comer’s big win at the Olivier Awards than her parents, who attended the afterparty and even got a free meal after bringing her trophy home to Liverpool. Her new one-woman Broadway show “Prima Facie,” is playing at The Golden Theater through July 2 (Original Air Date: April 5th, 2023). Next, John David Washington joins Stephen to discuss his starring role on Broadway in the August Wilson play, “The Piano Lesson,” and the pride he takes in delivering his lines the way they were originally written (Original Air Date: December 5th, 2022).

"SmartLess" co-host and Tony Nominee Sean Hayes shares stories about Oscar Levant, the man whose life inspired Sean’s new Broadway play, “Good Night, Oscar.” Sean’s new book, “Time Out,” is out now (Original Air Date: March 27th, 2023). Wendell Pierce is Tony-nominated for his performance in the Broadway production of "Death of a Salesman," in which his character Willy Loman is African American, serving to heighten the play's message about institutional violence and the unattainable American Dream (Original Air Date: October 11th, 2022).

Stephen is joined by 2023 Tony nominees and theater legends John Kander and Lin-Manuel Miranda who talk about the 1977 Martin Scorcese film, “New York, New York,” and what happened when Robert DeNiro gave notes to Kander on one of the film’s big musical numbers; and the iconic broadway duo talk about their writing process, which unfolds with ease each time they start a new project, despite the significant age gap between them. Kander and Miranda’s new show, “New York, New York,” is playing now at Broadway’s St. James Theater. Original Air Date: April 4th, 2023.

Tony Nominee Josh Groban on being back on Broadway as the demonic lead in “Sweeney Todd,” and how he’s still trying to figure out how to sing with a mouth full of the show’s iconic pastry prop. Original Air Date: April 17th, 2023.

Tony Nominee Samuel L. Jackson talks about being back on Broadway in August Wilson’s, “The Piano Lesson,” working with his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson who is directing the play. Original Air Date: September 27th, 2022.

The host of The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim tells Stephen the harrowing tale of his near-death experience at a Trump rally outside the RNC. Original Air Date: July 28th, 2016.

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' and 'Get Out' star Daniel Kaluuya says that "I've seen 'Get Out' three times" is the new "I would've voted for Obama a third time" in his late night debut on The Late Show. Original Air Date: January 16th, 2018.

Stephen is joined by nearly the full Fab Five (Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, and Tan France) to talk makeovers, thirst traps, and their hit Netflix show, "Queer Eye." Original Air Date: April 1st, 2019.

RuPaul Charles and Stephen Colbert talk Pride Month and why everybody should try drag. Original Air Date: June 24th, 2016.

Stephen welcomes legendary U2 frontman Bono for an exclusive extended interview that begins with a trip back in time to the 1970s when, as a high school student, Bono met the woman he would one day marry, and linked up with the men who would become his lifelong bandmates: Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr., and The Edge. Stick around as Bono and Stephen explore the stories in Bono’s new book, “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.” Original Air Date: November 3rd, 2022.

Friend of the show Bob Odenkirk stops by to talk about his memoir, 'Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama' (Original Air Date: February 28th, 2022). Next up, 'I Think You Should Leave' and 'Veep' star Sam Richardson grew up being constantly being ridiculed for using one hometown's regional lexicon in the other (Original Air Date: June 14th, 2017).

Stephen Colbert partnered with the USO for a trip to the top of the world to meet the heroic women and men of the newest branch of America’s military, the Space Force. Listen to Stephen’s conversation with the highest ranking member of the Space Force, Chief Master Sgt. Roger A. Towberman, then get a behind-the-scenes tour of Thule Air Base, including secret areas we can’t show on camera, and a chilling demonstration of how the Space Force will respond if an enemy nation launches intercontinental ballistic missiles at the United States. Next, country music star and Navy vet Sturgill Simpson shows up to perform some new lyrics for the Space Force anthem! And Stephen answers candid questions from the brave men and women of America’s Space Force. Special thanks to The USO, Sturgill Simpson and all the members of the Space Force for inviting Stephen Colbert on this unforgettable journey! Original Air Date: December 6th, 2022.

Then-Vice-President Joe Biden opened up to Stephen on the third episode of The Late Show in 2015 for a frank and sincere discussion about Biden’s relationship with his son Beau, his feelings about running for president, and staying focused on what you believe in while in office. Original Air Date: September 10th, 2015.

The series finale of "Succession" is airing this weekend and we've got nearly every member of the Roy family member on tape from when Stephen sat down with Brian Cox, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, and J. Smith-Cameron for this exclusive "Succession" group interview. Original Air Date: October 8th, 2021.

In honor of the series finale of "Barry" airing this Sunday on HBO, enjoy this double-header Colbert Classic with co-stars Bill Hader (Original Air Date: May 13th, 2019) and TV legend Henry Winkler (Original Air Date: April 25th, 2018) who both came on The Late Show to talk about the making of the highly acclaimed hitman dramedy series Stephen once called "a perfect show."

There are many reasons to check out the new “Thor” film, but director Taika Waititi recommends showing up to the theater for lead actor Chris Hemsworth’s infamous nude scene. Listen to this Pod Show exclusive extended interview with Taika Waititi to hear the epic tale of the New Zealand avocado heists. Original Air Date: June 22nd, 2022.

Senator Tammy Duckworth talks about why she decided to become a helicopter pilot and shares her perspective on America's military responsibilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and tells Stephen how happy she is that the Biden administration reacted to her demand that they nominate more Asian Americans to high-level jobs. Her memoir, "Every Day Is A Gift," is available now. Original Air Date: April 5th, 2021.

Movie star Jennifer Lawrence has a drink, kicks off her shoes, and lets loose in this charming and freewheeling interview. Original Air Date: February 26th, 2018.

Stephen puts Martha Stewart in the hot seat with The Colbert Questionert (Original Air Date: March 10th, 2022). Next up, Stephen and Martha fire up the grill and prepare recipes from her book, 'Martha Stewart's Grilling' (Original Air Date: March 26th, 2019).

In this extended interview with Jeremy Strong, the "Succession" actor makes his first visit to The Late Show to discuss his latest film, “Armageddon Time,” the dark message contained in his hit series, “Succession,” and his whatever-it-takes approach to acting. Original Air Date: October 13th, 2022.

Jesse Williams tells Stephen about the chemistry that develops between him and Reese Witherspoon in his new rom-com, “Your Place or Mine,” which is streaming on Netflix now. Original Air Date: February 15th, 2023.

The periodic tables have turned, as Neil DeGrasse Tyson takes over the Late Show and interviews Stephen about philosophy, religion, and The Lord of the Rings. Original Air Date: November 27th, 2018.

Awkwafina stars in the new movie, "The Farewell," but her grandmother skipped out on the last ten minutes of the movie because it was time to cook dinner. Original Air Date: July 16th, 2019.

Steven Yeun and Stephen Colbert bond over their common experience as improv comics who got their start in Chicago at The Second City. You can see Steven Yeun's Oscar-nominated performance in "Minari," and stream his new series "Beef" on Netflix now. Original Air Date: February 8th, 2021.

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen made her first visit to The Late Show to talk with Stephen about the pandemic’s effect on the economy, inflation, and whether or not the U.S. is headed for a recession. Original Air Date: November 30th, 2022.

Stephen sits down with Bruce Springsteen to talk about his new book “Renegades: Born in the USA,” and what it was like working from podcast to page with Former President Barack Obama. Original Air Date: October 25th, 2021.

A working actor since age 6, "Succession" star Kieran Culkin has a knack for learning his lines quickly, which can really get under Brian Cox’s skin. Original Air Date: August 10th, 2022.

'From Cradle To Stage' author Virginia Grohl joins her son to share some fascinating conversations she had with fellow mothers of rockstars, including Kurt Cobain's. Original Air Date: April 26th, 2017.

Greeting card writers don't always nail it on the first try. That's why, in everyone's favorite Late Show segment "First Drafts," Stephen takes a look at some early efforts by the writers of the 2020 Mother's Day cards with the help of an extra special guest. Original Air Date: May 6th, 2020.

“George & Tammy” star Jessica Chastain tells Stephen she’s been a Broadway fan since childhood so she’s thrilled to be performing at the Hudson Theater in her new play, “A Doll’s House." Originally Aired January 31st, 2023.